1. The Basics

   1. Chapter 1 Introduction

      1. VBScript's History and Uses
      2. What VBScript Is Used For: Gluing Together Objects
      3. Differences Between VBScript and VBA

   2. Chapter 2 Program Structure

      1. Functions and Procedures
      2. Class Modules
      3. The Script Level
      4. Reusable Code Libraries

   3. Chapter 3 Data Types and Variables

      1. VBScript Data Types: The Many Faces of the Variant
      2. Variables and Constants

   4. Chapter 4 Error Handling and Debugging

      1. Debugging
      2. Error Handling
      3. Common Problems Areas, and How to Avoid Them

   5. Chapter 5 VBScript with Active Server Pages

      1. How ASP Works
      2. Active Server Pages Object Model

   6. Chapter 6 Programming Outlook Forms

      1. Why Program Outlook Forms?
      2. The Form-Based Development Environment
      3. Running Your Code
      4. Program Flow
      5. The Outlook Object Model
      6. Accessing Other Object Models

   7. Chapter 7 Windows Script Host

      1. Why Use WSH?
      2. Running WSH Scripts
      3. Program Flow
      4. The WSH Object Model
      5. WSH Language Elements
      6. Accessing Other Object Models

   8. Chapter 8 VBScript with Internet Explorer

      1. The <SCRIPT> Tag
      2. What Can You Do with Client-Side Scripting?
      3. Understanding the IE Object Model

2. Reference

   1. Chapter 9 The Language Reference

3. Appendixes

   1. Appendix A Language Elements by Category

      1. Array Handling
      2. Assignment
      3. Comment
      4. Constants
      5. Data Subtype Conversion
      6. Date and Time
      7. Dictionary Object
      8. Error Handling
      9. File System Objects
      10. Information Functions
      11. Mathematical and Numeric
      12. Miscellaneous
      13. Object Programming
      14. Program Structure and Flow
      15. String Manipulation
      16. User Interaction
      17. Variable Declaration

   2. Appendix B VBScript Constants

      1. Color Constants
      2. Comparison Constants
      3. Date and Time Constants
      4. Date Format Constants
      5. Error Constant
      6. Logical and TriState Constants
      7. Message Box Constants
      8. String Constants
      9. Variable Type Constants

   3. Appendix C Operators

      1. Arithmetic Operators
      2. String Operator
      3. Comparison Operators
      4. Logical and Bitwise Operators
      5. Operator Precedence

1. Colophon

Our look is the result of reader comments, our own experimentation, and feedback from distribution channels. Distinctive covers complement our distinctive approach to technical topics, breathing personality and life into potentially dry subjects. The animal on the cover of VBScript in a Nutshell is a Miniature Pinscher. Known only to have existed in Germany up until about 100 years ago, the Miniature Pinscher is said to have descended from the German Pinscher or possibly a cross between the Italian Greyhound and the Dauchshund. He is not a small Doberman as some may think. He was bred to be a ratter and a good barking watchdog.

The Miniature Pinscher is considered the smallest breed of guard dog. It is classified in Group 2, which also classifies the Doberman, Rottweiller, Mastiff, Boxer, and Great Dane within this group.

The Miniature Pinscher has been characterized as having a heroic demeanor and a striking personality. Pinscher owners commonly affirm that the dog is only small and fragile in appearance. Maureen Dempsey was the production editor, and Nancy Kotary was the copyeditor for VBScript in a Nutshell. Jeff Holcomb was the proofreader. Jane Ellin and Emily Quill provided quality control. Mary Sheehan provided production support. Brenda Miller wrote the index.

Ellie Volkhausen designed the cover of this book based on a design by Edie Freeman. The cover image is a 19th-century engraving from the Dover Pictorial Archive. Emma Colby produced the cover layout with QuarXPress 3.32 using Adobe's ITC Garamond font.

Alicia Cech and David Futato designed the interior layout based on a series design by Nancy Priest. Mike Sierra implemented the design in FrameMaker 5.5. The text and heading fonts are ITC Garamond Light and Garamond Book. The illustrations that appear in the book were produced by Robert Romano and Rhon Porter using Macromedia FreeHand 8 and Adobe Photoshop 5. This colophon was written by Maureen Dempsey.